Bryce

Perkins

Perkins was signed following Andy Dalton’s elbow injury, so we take Perkins’ release as a positive regarding Dalton’s recovery. The Panthers also waived CB Mello Dotson, CB JaTravis Broughton, S Isaac Gifford, OG Luke Kandra, OG Steven Loyosa, WR TJ Luther, RB Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams, OLB J.J. Weaver and ILB Jacoby Windmon.

Perkins quarterbacked the UFL’s Memphis Panthers last year, winning the UFL MVP award, the UFL Offensive Player of the Year award and earning a spot on the All-UFL team. He completed 109-of-158 passes for 1,342 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. He rushed 46 times for 274 yards and five touchdowns while fumbling five times. Panthers backup quarterback Andy Dalton suffered an elbow injury in the team’s preseason Week 2 game against the Texans, so this could be foreshadowing a long-term injury for the veteran.

Pelissero added that the Rams are still open to bringing Perkins back but at a number lower than the $2.6 million a tender would have earned him. Perkins joined the Rams in 2020 but didn’t see his first reps in a regular season game until 2022. He appeared in five games this past year and started one. Perkins threw for 161 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions.

Wolford is still dealing with neck soreness but has played through the issue in Week 13. Sean McVay said the team is still working through Baker Mayfield’s status, so it looks like Bryce Perkins will back up Wolford this week. Perkins would start with Mayfield serving as his backup if Wolford can’t go. This shouldn’t need to be said, but don’t look to the Rams for a starting fantasy quarterback this week.

Both interceptions came in the fourth quarter with the Rams desperately searching for a way to catch up to the Chiefs. Perkins was a beat late on one, and a second pass was simply tipped at the line. Held under 100 yards for most of the contest with a skeleton crew at wide receiver and Tyler Higbee blocking plenty, Perkins will remain a bottom-barrel super FLEX option in Week 13 if John Wolford doesn’t take the job back from him.

Rams head coach Sean McVay has treated his Week 12 starting quarterback decision like a state secret since Matthew Stafford (neck) was ruled out this week. Perkins has some fantasy appeal thanks to his willingness and ability to take off and gain yards on the ground. Against the Saints in Week 11, he completed five of his ten passes for 64 yards and logged five rushes for 39 yards. Perkins is on the superflex radar if he gets the call against KC.

McVay did confirm that Perkins got the starter’s reps in practice this week, which pretty much settles the question. Matthew Stafford has already been ruled out while John Wolford was limited in practice throughout the week because of a neck issue. Assuming Perkins starts, he should be good for a substantial workload as a runner, though that will only put him in the QB2 conversation.

It puts Wolford in the mix to start in Matthew Stafford’s (concussion) absence, though we would expect the Rams are leaning toward Bryce Perkins’ dual-threat. Whoever gets the nod will not be a recommended QB2 streamer, though Perkins’ legs would give him far more appeal than Wolford, who will be the QB32 if he gets the call.

The Rams have said Stafford is dealing with a strained neck, but he is also in concussion protocol. He underwent testing on his neck and spine after going down in Week 11. That was Stafford’s first game back from a one-week absence due to a concussion. With the Rams’ fate for this season all but decided, it wouldn’t be surprising to see LA shut down their quarterback if he isn’t able to return rather quickly. Bryce Perkins is expected to start versus the Chiefs. His rushing upside will put him on the radar as a QB2 streaming option.

Per Sean McVay, Stafford felt numbness in his legs after taking a hit in Week 11. Stafford returned from a previous concussion last week but left mid-game with another head injury. McVay also did not rule out shutting Stafford down because of the issue. At 3-7, the Rams’ season is nearly over already. Playing Stafford by Week 13 may already be a lost cause. Bryce Perkins appears in line to start this week. There’s no hope for Perkins through the air, but he could be a productive rusher. He will have some QB2 upside versus the Chiefs.